VILA RICA MOEDAS AUCTION 16

Vila Rica Moedas (www.vilaricamoedas.com) is a Numismatic company based in São Paulo, Brazil, and it is run by its two partners David André Levy and Hilton Lúcio, both authors of reference catalogs and accomplished numismatists.

Vila Rica will hold its Auction 16 on June 20-22. The auction is internet-only and split over three sessions. It will offer a vast range of Brazilian coins from Colonial to Republican issues, in all metals, with a fine selection of gold coins including a few rarities such as 6400 Réis 1731 from Minas Gerais mint and the extremely rare and key date 1862 of the 20.000 Réis series. Featured in this auction will be a collection of military decorations of the Paraguay and Cisplatine Wars, a collection of 960 Réis overstrikes including a rare combination of 960 Réis struck over a Mexico pillar 8 Reales that has been used as host, and a fine set of coins of the Weimar Republic.

The War of Paraguay was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin American history and lasted from 1864 to 1870. The war began because of a conflict between Paraguay and Brazil caused by the previous Uruguayan War. Argentina and Uruguay entered the war against Paraguay in 1865, and it then became known as the "War of the Triple Alliance. As a result of the war, Paraguay was forced to cede disputed territory to Argentina and Brazil.

Some highlights from the sale follow:

 

Lot 22 - Brazil, 6400 Réis, 1733M. Gold. AI O281. MBC. Removed from jewelry. Still attractive and well struck. A rarity from the elusive Minas Gerais mint. Overdate. Extremely rare in any condition.

 

Lot 41 - Brazil, 20000 Réis, 1862. Gold. AI O682. NGC AU50. Key date and the most important coin of the whole 3rd System series. Extremely rare.

 

Lot 135 - Brazil, 960 Réis, 1818R. Silver. Levy - UNLISTED (RRR); AI P428a; Lup 8A. MBC. Struck over 8 Reales Mexico 1766FM Carolus III – pillar dollar. Very rare. Not reported on Levy. It comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Abibonds, with a complete description of the coin and the overstrike. Columnario overstrikes are among the most sought after and valued and very rarely they are offered at public auctions.

The War of Paraguay was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin American history and lasted from 1864 to 1870. The war began because of a conflict between Paraguay and Brazil caused by the previous Uruguayan War. Argentina and Uruguay entered the war against Paraguay in 1865, and it then became known as the "War of the Triple Alliance. As a result of the war, Paraguay was forced to cede disputed territory to Argentina and Brazil.

 

The cross is surmounted by a winged dragon representing the House of Bragança. On the obverse, the center is in blue enamel, engraved with an olive branch with five leaves, placed on the Serro de Montevideo; with the inscription MONTEVIDEO at the top and four stars at the bottom. On the reverse, the center in green enamel with the legend PETRUS / I. B. I / D., meaning Petrus Primus, Brasiliae Imperator Deedit (Pedro Primeiro, Emperor of Brazil, dedicates him), surmounted by a laurel wreath. On the arms are inscribed which of the years of the conflict the decorated person served; in the case of this example 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821 and 1822.

The medal is accompanied by an original certificate dated July 20, 1823, and signed by the Viscount of Laguna himself, granting a silver cross (like the one offered here) to a Captain of the 2nd Militia Corps of São Paulo, José Bonifácio de Toledo for services rendered in 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821 and 1822. Fernando Chao at Premios y Condecoraciones in Territorio Uruguayo 1807-1830, Rosario, 2020 (also offered in this auction - see lot 397) lists 8 copies: Jacques Schulman 1924 (lot 24), Private Collection (sold at the 14th Vila Rica Coins Auction, lot 255), Revista da SNB 1938, Julius Meili (the same as in Jacques Schulman 1911), Museum Udaondo (former Enrique Penã Collection), Eugênio Teixeira Leal Museum Collection (Inventory of Banco Econômico da Bahia), another from Museo Udaondo (former Enrique Penã Collection) but with only two dates, and Ex Collection Marcelo Tibúrcio.

The example offered here is almost identical to the one illustrated in Meili (see attached photo), and certainly produced by the same goldsmith. The two notable differences are the inversion of the centers in relation to the years engraved on the arms of the cross, and the orientation of the years 1821 and 1822 - in Meili they are horizontal, while in this example they are vertical.

 

Lot 324 - Brazil, Military Decoration. Pedro II. Uruguay Campaign. First Class Gold Medal 1852. 25.30g; 85mm (the set); 30mm (the medal). Meili 118 (in silver, not listed in gold). Instituted by the Imperial Decree of March 14, 1852, for the allied forces commanded by the Argentine general Urquiza, and by the Brazilian Caxias, who defeated the dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas. Complete with crown, ring, ribbon, suspender/bar. EXTREMELY RARE in such completeness. UNC, with some cleaning hairlines. No more than three known pieces, only two of which are complete with original crown, ribbon, and suspender.

 

Lot 329 - Argentina, Military Decoration. Battle of Pago Largo, 1839. Silver. 15.23g; 38x30 mm (without ring). Cunietti 109. Very attractive. Rare. Non-original hoop. Obverse with laurels around the coat of arms of Argentina at the top and above the text MARZO 31 DE 1839 / EL GOBIERNO DE LA / CONFEDERACION ARGENT.A / AL PATRIOTIMO Y / AL VALOR above palm and olive branch, all within a large wreath of flowers; Reverse with laurels around the text VALIENTE DEFENSOR IN LOS CAMPOS DEL PAGO LARGO DE LA LIBERTAD DE LA CONFEDERACIÓN ARGENTINA Y DE LA INDEPª AMERICANA above the flags, all within the wreath of flowers.

The Battle of Pago Largo was an armed confrontation that took place on March 31, 1839, between the troops of the governor of Entre Ríos, Brigadier General Pascual Echague (who was loyal to the provincial governor of Buenos Aires at the head of Argentina's foreign relations, General de Juan Manuel de Rosas Brigade) and those of the governor of Corrientes, Colonel Genaro Beron de Astrada, killed during the fighting. After his victory, Echague's army invaded the Banda Oriental (today Uruguay), but was repelled. Ironically, the cavalry of the province of Entre Rios was commanded by Colonel Major Justo José de Urquiza, lieutenant of Echague, who, years later, in 1852, would defeat Rosas in the definitive battle of Caseros, an event that would make him leave his long government and flee to the exile in England until his death. Urquiza became the first president of the Argentine Confederation, based in Paraná, and is still revered today in Entre Rios as a provincial hero.

 

Lot 333 - Brazil, Military Decoration. Pedro II. Gold. 12.7g; 25x20 mm (without ring). Meili 122. Light old cleaning. Very attractive. Granted to the garrison of Fort Coimbra when, in 1864 and during the Paraguayan War, 120 Brazilians resisted the attack of 3,000 Paraguayans. On the obverse VALOR E LEALDADE, surrounded by a laurel wreath; and on the reverse "26.27.28. DE DEZEMBRO FORTE DE COIMBRA 1864. With original Ring. Very rare. Gold medals were awarded to generals or other high-ranking officers. Given the size of the garrison, it is reasonable to assume that there would be no more than 2 or 3 high-ranking officials, making this, therefore, a very rare medal and of high historical importance.

 

Lot 337 - Brazil, Military Decoration. Pedro II, War of Paraguay. Surrender of Uruguayana, 1865. Gold. 9.83g; 33mm (the set); 20mm (the medal). With original ring. Meili 123 (in silver); Pratt CP 37. Only 2 or 3 known in gold and with original ring. Just a few light hairlines, and very attractive

 

Lot 340 - Paraguay, Military Decoration. Military Award, War of the Triple Alliance (Guerra do Paraguay), Batalla de Tataiyba, October 21, 1867. Silver. 14.52g; 30 mm. Pratt CP 12. Legend on the obverse: EL MARISCAL LOPEZ A LOS VALIENTES DE TATAIYBA. MBC/Sub. Pratt CP 12. Extremely rare in silver, and an important issue for collectors in Paraguay. All of them are regarded as unique pieces, as they were made by hand on the spot. A highlight in every collection of Paraguayan medals.

 

Lot 345 - Argentina, Military Decoration. War of the Triple Alliance against Paraguay. Award to those who finished the Paraguay Campaign, awarded in 1871. Gold. 11.23g; 28 mm. Cunietti 274. Pratt CP 43b. Hoop removed. Despite a light cleaning, it retains much of its original luster. Very attractive. Obverse: arms of Argentina, around EJERCITO ARGENTINO / DE OPERACIONES CONTRA EL PARAGUAY; Reverse with sun and rays, caption AL VALOR Y LA CONSTANCIA / * LA NACION AGRADECIDA *. Very rare.

The auction will take place on June 20, 21 and 22nd. Registration for bidding can be done at https://leiloes.vilaricamoedas.com/. If you need help, please feel free to contact either David or Hilton through the email info@vilaricamoedas.com and they will help you with registration. Bids can also be accepted through the Sixbid platform.

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